I've been deorating cakes now for one year. I love doing cakes and learning new techniques. I'm slowely becoming better too. (I've done better cakes than what are in my photos lately, but just have not posted them because they have to get scanned in.)
Somewhere between the kids, school and working I no longer really want to do decorated cakes. I'm burned out! I don't even really like the taste of cake anymore 
This comes at a horrible time because I have my first wedding cake next month and a HUGE one in December. I just want to call them both and tell them to find someone else. I won't because that would be wrong of me, but my heart is just not in it. The wedding cake in June is for free--it's a present for the couple---my DH's old childhood friend who he tells me yesterday he doesn't even like anymore 
AAAGGG!!!! I just want to scream! I'd rather be spending time doing something else than a cake.
I hate feeling like this. I honestly just did a cake and it sucks and I don't even care. It's for company tonight and I should be ashamed to serve it because it looks so bad but I'm not. Please tell me this will pass???!!!!
It will pass I promise I have been decorating for nearly 8 years now and I cant tell you how many times I've quit I quit for a whole couple of years a while back but in the end you always come back to it if its your true passion just last week I was looking at cakes here at cc and normally I can see how a person made a cake even If i dont think i can duplicate it but this one cake I looked at it and thought why do I even bother I will never be that good I will never be able to do that but im sure there is someone out there in the world that can look at one of my cakes and think the same thing so you just have to stick with it do a cake just for fun not to impress anyone and feel free to take a break if you need to. 
it will pass, i have been decorating for almost 20 yrs and have this happen every so often. the fire and passion will return. you will soon just have an itch to make a whole bunch of cakes and not have an occassion for them. LOL
I've went through the same thing. Mine was when I worked at Cold Stone Creamery. I was doing the same ole cakes every day. Boring! After I quit there I was back to doing cakes for family & friends & I was over that burned out feeling~ So yes, it will pass! Now I wish I did more cakes! The last time I did any was for Easter. Now I have 4 in 2 wks! That's a lot of family functions, I don't know if that is a good thing or not LOL~ Hang in there, it will pass~
I guess I'll just have to follow the course and let it pass then.
The dinner went well tonight with company and so did the cake. I got oohs and aahhs. The loved the WASC cake with strawberry b/c filling. Even loved the decorating. I put regular ol' scroll work on it---more like butchered scroll work---and they loved it. 
Said it looked like a mini-wedding cake.
OK, the cake sucked!!!! Tasted good ---but looked like someone with the shakes decorated it. I seriously just didn't even care and slapped chocolate dipped strawberries ALL over the top and some on the bottom. I totally don't deserve this praise and I know it. I almost hate the fact that they loved it because it was not a neat looking cake but sloppy. I didn't tell them that though.
I seriously hope this passes soon 
I had that happen this week. And then I seen another cake that I just want to do for ANYBODY...I'm itching to do it for anybody that will take it LOL...Anyways you do GREAT cakes don't give up...keep on truckin, you will get back in the swing of things 
Funny, I feel the same way. I have been "decorating" for about 5 years and teaching since March of 2004. This past month or more, I just don't want to do anything and my heart is not in it. I don't want to do cakes or teach. 
I work full-time too and I have actually had work (completely interrupting my CC time! 
) My sister's wedding is coming up at the end of this month. I, my hubby AND our three kids are in the wedding and I am making the wedding cake and a groom's cake. I am supposed to have a ton of gumpaste hydrangea's and roses made for the cake and I have made 2 roses. I'm so tired and stressed that I feel like just saying, "NO MORE!!!" I don't want to feel this way and I'm sure that it is the stress of the upcoming wedding, but that is the point I am at now. I wasn't even happy with my son's Batman cake that I did this weekend. Sigh. Just wanted to let you know, I know how you feel. I hope it passes fo the both of us. 
Missyek---your work is great. The batman cake is wonderful too. I know your heart is not in it, but no one at the wedding will notice that at all when they look at your beautiful creation. Now why did she pick a wedding cake with that much work envoloved? YIKES! You are under a lot of stress right now, no one can blaim you for being burned out. Come pull up a chair on imagination beach with me---there is no cakes--just the sun, surf, sand and may be a drink 
Missyek---your work is great. The batman cake is wonderful too. I know your heart is not in it, but no one at the wedding will notice that at all when they look at your beautiful creation. Now why did she pick a wedding cake with that much work envoloved? YIKES! You are under a lot of stress right now, no one can blaim you for being burned out. Come pull up a chair on imagination beach with me---there is no cakes--just the sun, surf, sand and may be a drink
A lot of drinks? Thanks. I do a lot of my stress to myself too, so I can't blame just my sister--it is mostly me. 
For some reason I think I am superwoman--where the heck did that idea come from? I'm sure that once the wedding is over I will be okay, but I do think I will have to take a break for a bit. Maybe you should take a break, too. That may help--I can't imagine not doing cakes, ya know?
Oh, Melissa, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I feel so tired of doing cakes. I had two cakes last week, and was just like, okay I'm DONE for a while. Now I have 4 cakes to do this weekend. (which I know to some of you, that's normal, but for me, one or two cakes are plenty) One for my sister, one for mother's day, a cheesecake, and another birthday cake. Oh, and tiramisu, if you want to throw that in as a cake. I was asked to do all of these just since Sunday. I don't even feel like making cakes, and now I end up with all of this. In one weekend.
Everyone says that my problem is my perfectionism- I want everything to be PERFECT. So I guess I just have to realize that it won't be perfect, I can only do my best. Wow that just made me feel better. lol
So i hope all this passes too, just like you all said it will. And I'm sure your chocolate covered strawberry cake looked FINE. Let's keep our chins up!
~Beth
I soooo know how you feel! I feel that I do have that passion for cakes but sometimes I get totally burned out! I have an almost 3 yr. old and twin 15 month olds and my husband works out of town monday thru friday. It is HARD!!!! Sometimes I just say, "I am not doing another cake for a long time" but then after about a week or two I get that itch again. But I really know how you feel, I think you're just plain tired out from everything. If I remember right, you have like 4 kids? Just raising kids, taking care of your house, working AND going to school??? Girl, you have a right to be burned out!! Anybody would. You deserve a break, don't feel guilty because you have too much going on right now. You need a vacation!!!!
yep that's me, the insaine girl with 4 kids.
I just added being editor of the junior member section of the American Culinary Federation (maumee valley chapter) newsletter.
Why did I say yes??? They said if you want something done and done right ask a busy person and then everyone looked at me and I was asked if I would do it. 
ONCE again, why did I say yes????
(I guess it's ok, since it's more points that I need to go for my certification when I take the culinary test)
I have a dessert to do for teacher appreciation day at my daughters school tomorrow.....I'm thinking anything but a decorated cake 
Maybe cookies.
I can see how you are all burned out too! Please join Missyek and me on imagination beach. I'll be the one slathering on the sunblock and looking at the hot pool boy. (shhh... don't tell my DH---just kidding)
I'm there! I'm the one with all the empty pina coloda glasses laying in the sand around me with a fresh one in my hand. Oh, and I have that enormous sun hat on getting a foot massage...
lol...I'm right there with you guys...can you pass the sunblock? I burn easily. Lol.
yep Beth you are fair complected, make it at least a 50 spf. How are your cakes going?
Well, teacher appreciation day was today and I was scheduled to take a dessert. NO CAKE FROM ME!!!! Nope, I did chocolate dipped strawberries. They came out perfect. Then I decided today to do chocolate dipped oreo truffles, not perfect!!! I dipped into the tempered chocolate not realizing how high the humidity is today. They should have set within 2 minutes. 45 minutes later I have no choice but to take them to the school only partially set up. One tray flipped over while driving and some where stuck together and other fell no where near the tray and landed and smeared down my purse. Did I mention that it was raining so hard you could hardly see while driving and when I took them out I was running into the building trying to keep the rain from hitting the non-set chocolate. Some rain hit them but not too bad. I just put them into the fridge once I got there and apologized. They said they would just eat them with a spoon.
Normally this would freak me out, but it didn't, I could care less!!!!!! Yep, I'm totally burned out!
mkolmar (MY TWIN) dang girl give yourself a break. You go to school and do all sorts of extras PLUS 4 KIDS DUH you have MOMMY burn out as well. Give yourself a MOMS DAY. NO CAKES, NO COOKING IF YOU CAN HELP IT, AND GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Come on you have gotten awards, and funds coming in for all your hard work, You have hurt yourself, And those little babes didn't get to go swimming and you felt bad about that. Heck cake would be the last of my worries GIRL. There are days the smell of a cake makes me cring. And I don't have half as much as you going on.
Give yourself a MOTHERS DAY GIFT. NO CAKES FOR AT LEAST A WEEK. I know with school you can't slack off alot. But I vote easy meals for at least a week. It is getting warmer. So have some sandwiches, mac and cheese, do easy peasy meals. I know you are a chef but don't do it for at least a week. Give yourself some time OFF.
DO IT NOW OR I WILL KICK YOUR BUTT LOL Seriously take a break HUGS from me KAY
Now how can I agrue with my TWIN. I just have a big mom's day meal (don't shoot me but it's 5 courses) to make for my mom and MIL, then next week is going to be my easy week. I'm on break this week from school and then back on monday may 14, for spring classes (15 weeks of material crammed into 6 ) This summer I'm not taking any classes----I can't wait for summer!!!!!!!!
mkolmar, I know how you feel! I am getting quite burned out right now mainly because I'm stuck doing all of these boring crap cakes. My quality has fallen so low right now I am almost embarassed to post the last many cakes I have done. I did post them, but I am not proud of them. It's been so long since someone has wanted something really neat that I got excited about doing!! Like the flannel shirt cake... that was fun, exciting, and challenging. I certainly hope you work through this and find yourself revived... raring to go bake and decorate the heck out of a cake! And I hope I soon find someone willing to order (and pay for) a CUSTOM cake that requires a little bit of skill so I can quit turning out this low quality junk that I don't even want in my portfolio!! Gah! Ok, sorry to whine so much... I guess misery loves company, eh?
You know what? I think, no matter what job a person has sometimes they just get tired of it! The same ole thing every day with kids, cooking, cleaning, going to the factory or to the office. I think sometimes you just gotta take a break for awhile, I guess that's why someone invented vacations!!! And sign me up for spot on that beach! It will get better...it has to...doesn't it????
lovincake said: I think, no matter what job a person has sometimes they just get tired of it!
Amen to that! I absolutely LOVE to cook, bake and create recipes and this just doesn't excite me right now. I know it will come back, just not sure when, I hope it comes back by fall semester.
So what spot on the beach do you want. I can pull up another beach chair under the umbrella or you can be at the ice cream shack or drink hut?
Melvira--girl, I know you need a spot on imagination beach too!
Boring cakes sure can burn you out. Your work is always great, no matter what you do.
Funny, I feel the same way. I have been "decorating" for about 5 years and teaching since March of 2004. This past month or more, I just don't want to do anything and my heart is not in it. I don't want to do cakes or teach.
I work full-time too and I have actually had work (completely interrupting my CC time! ) My sister's wedding is coming up at the end of this month. I, my hubby AND our three kids are in the wedding and I am making the wedding cake and a groom's cake. I am supposed to have a ton of gumpaste hydrangea's and roses made for the cake and I have made 2 roses. I'm so tired and stressed that I feel like just saying, "NO MORE!!!" I don't want to feel this way and I'm sure that it is the stress of the upcoming wedding, but that is the point I am at now. I wasn't even happy with my son's Batman cake that I did this weekend. Sigh. Just wanted to let you know, I know how you feel. I hope it passes fo the both of us.
Both of your cakes are just beautiful! Sometimes the inspiration is just not there or something else happens in our life that boots our creativity to the curb.
I would chalk your "blue cake mood" up to added stress that will soon pass. Depending on the outside factors it will take time, but you will bounce back.
I have my hands in all sorts of crafts. Next to cakes, I do bead work for my trail riding friends. For about six months to a year, I just couldn't bring myself to pickup my bowl of beads, needle and thread... even after all my friends were willing to pay double for one of my creations... I just couldn't do it. During that time, I played with different craft mediums, but always went back to some sort of bead work... not the kind I mentioned above... I spent loads of moneys trying a new technique, but still found my original bead stuff more satisfying. I was just in a "Blue Beading Mood".
Like someone else said... If cake is your true passion, you'll come back. It sounds like you both need a break to take care other things before you enjoy cakes again!
Ok Twin I know you didn't think of this BUT... They get BLUE MOODS also just remind him of that when you are blue so are his BOYS.. LOL I think he will let your Blue mood slide if you help the boys out. LOL I know I am naughty I am sorry It is just the cakes I have been doing lately going to my brain.. LOL
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%